Laos Lotto is an online lottery service that allows players to place bets on four digit combinations between 0000 and 9999, awarding prizes according to how many combinations were chosen; prize amounts increase with every additional combination purchased. Registration is necessary in order to participate.

Sources in Vientiane tell RFA that officials in Laos are manipulating its national lottery, changing winning numbers to reduce large pay-outs, sources claim. On Oct 14 this year, for instance, one drawing yielded 509 as its winner but was changed just 10 minutes prior to drawing time, according to sources close to RFA.

Seattle woman Xia Rattanakone won a huge Powerball lottery jackpot and plans on giving back some of her winnings by donating some back home, where she hopes to find family she hasn’t seen since childhood. A member of Iu Mien ethnic group that fought alongside US forces during Vietnam War, she plans to use some of it towards improving the lives of both of her young children as well as improving the community where they reside.